Tissue Sampling Device With Through Lumen for Contamination-Free Liquid Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue sampling kits face contamination issues due to the spilling of reaction liquid when removing the sampling device from the reaction chamber, leading to cross-contamination and corrupted analysis results.
Innovation Solution
A sampling device with a through lumen that allows fluid to be added or withdrawn while nested in the reaction chamber, preventing spilling and contamination, and featuring a detachable cap that can act as a reaction chamber or handle extension for ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sampling device is removed from the reaction chamber to withdraw liquid, then liquid can be accessed, but contamination of other wells occurs due to spilling
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling device is nested within the reaction chamber (well) during the entire process. The device remains inserted in the well throughout liquid addition and withdrawal operations, with only the lumen being accessed through the device walls via apertures. This nesting arrangement prevents the device from being removed and prevents spilling that would contaminate other wells.
Solution Approach 2:
The through lumen acts as an intermediary channel that allows liquid to be added or withdrawn without removing the sampling device from the reaction chamber. The lumen provides a protected pathway through the device wall, enabling fluid access while maintaining the sealed relationship between the reaction chamber and the external environment.
2Reliability
If reaction liquid is added after sampling device is mounted, then spilling risk is reduced, but the device structure must accommodate fluid access
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling device incorporates apertures in its wall that allow fluid to pass through the lumen. These apertures provide controlled openings for liquid access while maintaining the overall structural integrity and containment function of the device. The apertures are positioned to allow fluid communication without compromising the device's ability to prevent spilling.
3Reliability
If the sampling device has a through lumen for fluid access, then contamination is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling device serves multiple functions: it collects tissue samples via the scraping portion, contains the sample during transport, provides a controlled pathway for liquid addition and withdrawal through the through lumen, and prevents contamination throughout the process. This multi-functionality is achieved through an integrated design where the lumen and apertures are incorporated into the basic device structure rather than as separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A sampling kit for tissue including a reaction chamber and a sampling device configured for mounting in the reaction chamber and providing a reaction volume defined between the base of the reaction chamber and the sampling device. The sampling device has a proximal handling portion and a distal scraping portion comprising a scraping formation configured to collect a sample of tissue when the distal scraping portion is rubbed against a surface of the tissue. The sampling device comprises an internal lumen configured for the supply of reaction liquid from a distal end of the tissue sampling device to the reaction volume via a distal aperture disposed in the distal scraping portion when the tissue sampling device is mounted in the reaction chamber. An automated high-throughput sampling and indexing system is also described.